Martin, Poole running for city council

September 6, 2013

Bill Martin and Tom Poole have each thrown their hat in the ring for an at-large council seat.

Martin, a resident of Marshalltown for more than 40 years, is a retired educator. Martin said he hopes to offer his professional experience to city government.

"I'm interested in community betterment and progress," Martin said. "I've had a 40 year plus commitment to community service, working with people and would like to offer my past professional experience to city government."

Martin said his focuses with current city issues are the upcoming tax rollback.

"We are going to have a property tax rollback that will hit the city two years and that demands careful attention as a team member and council," Martin said.

Another issue Martin said he wants to focus on is the progress towards new police and fire stations and accommodations for the Alliant Energy expansion.

"We have a perceived need and progress being made toward replacing our police and fire station," Martin said. "We have welcoming accommodations for the Alliant Energy expansion, I think that's an important economic development and also for the city."

Martin said he also wants to meet the needs of police and fire pensions.

"I'm experienced, I've lived in the community 40-plus years, professionally I am the same," Martin said. "I think I have a high degree of personal integrity and I am responsible."

Poole, owner of Man's Best Friend, a dog grooming business, and longtime resident of Marshalltown is also running for an at-large council member seat.

"I'm an individual business owner and I am familiar with different regulations," Poole said. "I know quite a few people and their dogs. I like Marshalltown, I've been here a long time and it's time I pay back in the city, for all the good things I've gotten out of the town."

Poole said he is running because he has a lot of unanswered questions.

"I think there are some things our city does that I would like to know more about," Poole said. "As an individual you don't always get answers."

Poole said his focuses are his questions about new street repairs and buildings.

"I noticed an awful lot of streets being repaired," Martin said. "Is it necessary and where is the money coming from and who decides what should be repaired?"

He also expressed interest in being involved with the potential new sites for the police and fire departments.

Bob Wenner, a two-term council member, is not seeking reelection. Bethany Wirin will run to reclaim her at-large seat.